Sulaymaniyah IDPs Return Home, Erbil and Duhok IDPs are Prevented

Reports 03:01 PM - 2024-06-15

IDPs' camp.

The Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displacement has set July 30 as deadline for closing all Internally Displace Persons' (IDP) camps throughout Iraq, including those in the Kurdistan Region but according to the Minister of Immigration, the IDP families in the camps of Erbil and Duhok have challenges in returning to their original places due to the restriction on the entry of ministry staff into the camps.

IDPs in Erbil and Duhok are being prevented to return home 

Staff members of the Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displacement are currently prevented from accessing IDP camps located in Erbil and Duhok.

"There are 28,000 families who have not yet returned to their homes and are currently residing in the camps of the Kurdistan Region," stated Ivan Fayeq Jabro, the Minister of Migration and Displacement in Iraq.

"Efforts are ongoing to shut down the camps in Sulaymaniyah province by the end of this month. Currently, there are 3,000 families residing in these camps. However, the return of IDP families in the camps located in Duhok and Erbil is challenging due to restrictions on our ministry employees accessing these camps," she stated.

There are 21 IDP camps in the Kurdistan Region

There are currently 28,000 families who have been internally displaced and are residing in 21 camps located in the Kurdistan Region. Out of these camps, 16 are in Duhok, five are in Erbil, and one is in Sulaymaniyah.

Based on PUKMEDIA's investigation, the majority of IDPs in Iraq reside in camps located in Erbil and Duhok. Currently, there are 21 camps in the Kurdistan Region. Additionally, there are some IDPs who live outside of camps in Erbil, Duhok, and Sulaymaniyah. In the last two years, around 30% to 40% of the IDPs have successfully returned to their original residences.

The Iraqi government will bear the cost of returning the IDPs

The Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displacement has devised a comprehensive strategy to resolve the IDPs problem by ensuring that they return to their homes by the end of July this year. To encourage their return, the plan includes the reconstruction of their areas and covering the expenses of their journey, amounting to 4 million Iraqi dinars per family. Additionally, various services will be provided to each family. It is important to note that any IDP family returning to their homes after July 30 will no longer be eligible for assistance.

Complaints have been filed over the obstacles

Minister of Migration and Displacement in Iraq has lodged a formal complaint with the Federal Court against the President, Prime Minister, and Interior Minister of the Kurdistan Region. The case pertains to the obstacles that hinders the return of IDPs in Erbil and Duhok to their original areas.

Earlier, Minister of Migration and Displacement, said: "We have appealed to the Federal Court of Iraq and lodged a lawsuit against the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister of the Kurdistan Region and we were surprised by the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) decision that stipulates that the Minister of Migration and Displacement is not allowed to visit the Kurdistan Region."

"The KRG is blocking me from visiting the Kurdistan Region for an additional reason, as they will only grant me permission if I withdraw the lawsuit I lodged against the President, Prime Minister, and interior minister of the Kurdistan Region," stated Fayeq.



PUKMEDIA